I turned my attention back to the dance floor. Seth was out there, still trying to line dance. I’d never say so, but he wasn’t exactly the most coordinated when it came to dancing. He sure had fun anyways. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched him. I was just about ready to join him again, when something white flashed in the corner of my eye. When I turned around, I saw a small bright figure, just walking into the trees.
Without a moment’s hesitation I jumped off the bench and ran after Molly. I hadn’t seen her since the day I found out I was pregnant. And of all the times I had seen her, only a couple of them had been while I was awake. This last stretch without seeing her, had been so long I thought for sure she was gone for good.
By the time I made it through the brush I was breathless, and my arms were scratched from running through branches. She was waiting calmly for me by an old twisted tree. It happened to be my favourite tree on the island. From its roots it divided into two long trunks that eventually intertwined back together. Molly was standing by the tree staring up at it, only turning around when she noticed me.
When she did, her lips spread into a beautiful smile. She’d never smiled like that in life. Tears fell down my cheeks as the baby inside me summersaulted. My baby moved a lot, but this was the most active it had ever been. Molly’s smile grew, until her eyes were practically glowing.
“Why are you here?” I asked not expecting an answer. She never talked anymore. I’d talked a lot with Seth about her visitations and my theory that her hold on this world was growing weaker. He agreed with me.
She walked towards me and I froze in place. From all the old ghost stories I’d heard growing up, I thought that when you were in the presence of the deceased you were supposed to feel cold. But that wasn’t what I felt. I felt a warmth burn through me. It was comforting, like being wrapped in a warm blanket, while cozying up to a blazing fire.
Standing right in front of me, I could see she was completely transparent and her whole body was surrounded by a brilliant white light. She reached up tracing her hand only inches from my red cascading curls. Her hand hovered over one of the white flowers in my hair. I’d opted for few simple flower pins, instead of a veil. By the look on her face, I could tell she approved. Her eyes moved down my gown and she made a motion with her finger for me to twirl around. I smiled and then obliged her. When I turned back to face her, she clapped her hands approvingly. Even her hands didn’t make a sound. It was so quiet, which should have made me sad, but I didn’t feel that way. I couldn’t. Her presence was so strong and so happy, that it almost took me over. I could feel how happy she was for me.
I sighed, biting my lip, as a realization came to me. More tears flowed now. “You came to say good-bye…didn’t you?” She nodded. The smile on her face only lessened a little, as she reached up to wipe my tears away ,only withdrawing her hand when she realized she couldn’t do that for me. “I miss you already.” She mouthed the words ‘I love you,’ and then with a slight hesitation she turned around, walking back towards my favourite tree.
I watched as a bright white light enveloped the tree. It was so bright I could hardly stand to look at it, but with my hand half shielding my eyes, I watched my sister walk towards it and in the light I saw a figure with her hand outstretched. Even though the figure was hazy, I knew instantly it was my mother. My sister turned around one last time, blowing me a kiss, before walking into the light. And just like that she, my mother, and the light were gone. I was back in the middle of the mini forest. My eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness once more.
The tears were flowing down now uncontrollably. I tried to wipe them away, so that Seth wouldn’t see them. But when I turned around to head back towards the others, Seth was standing right there. “How long?” I asked. “Did you see her?” Even though the tears were still flowing, I couldn’t help but smile.
He shook his head as he moved towards me. He wrapped his arms around me as I leaned my head against his shoulder. “I’m not the one who needed to see her. I just saw you running out here and a strange soft light coming through the trees. By the way you were running, I guessed it was her. Let me guess she came to congratulate us?”
“And say goodbye.” I held onto Seth tighter.
“Are you okay with that?” He asked. I looked up into his eyes. One last tear fell down my face.
“I am. I think I needed this one last time. And I know she’s okay and she knows I’m more than okay. I’m not alone anymore.”
“And you never will be again.” He gave me a small sweet kiss on my lips before offering me his hand, to take me back to the party. I wiped the remnants of tears from my face as I walked hand in hand with him, back to our family.
About The Author
Becky Poirier
Her love of stories began with her father who shared with her his love of creating characters and unique worlds. She's a mother four who enjoys hiking, baking, belly dancing, reading and writing. She's a social work student who believes that creative writing is a great way to deal with the every day stresses of life. Seeking Daylight is the first book of hers to be released, soon to be followed by Seeking Hope and a yet to be named conclusion to the trilogy.
Seeking Daylight Page 42